“Yeah. Hockey players. It’s like you’re all auditioning for the role of ‘Alpha Male’ in a David Suzuki documentary.”
“First of all, pretty sure that could describe all professional athletes.”
“Fair.”
“Second, hockey is too fast-paced to be low energy. It’s like amped up chess with flying objects.”
Penny’s eyes danced with amusement. “Chess?”
“Absolutely. Always looking for an opening. Finding space.” As a kid, Brett would replay sections of his PeeWee games on repeat, trying to find the patterns.If he moves this way, I go here. If my teammate has the puck here, I bolt center.“It’s a dance. And a fight to the death.”
Penny grinned. “So ballet plus Gladiator. Got it.”
“No time to think, just act and react.”
“Even when it means punching someone’s teeth out?”
Brett fixed her with an intense stare. “Especially when it means punching someone’s teeth out.”
Penny’s lips parted slightly. “Yours look intact.”
“Because I’m a responsible adult. I wear a mouth guard.”
“Testosterone fueled and pragmatic. How could any woman ask for more?”
“That’s what I keep telling myself.”
Two long beats passed before Penny dropped her eyes and Brett’s heart decided to start pumping again.What was this between them?It was like every conversation was charged. Electric. Like Penny’s voice was the only frequency his body was tuned in to anymore.
Brett hadn’t realized how close together they’d moved, and he quickly shifted on his seat to give her more space. Sean reached up to adjust the rearview mirror in front of them.
Brett chuckled. “Trying to see the backseat a little better, Thompson?” Sean glowered at him.
Kelty busted up laughing. “Have you completely forgotten how we were when we got together? It was like you were a kid discovering candy for the first time.”
Penny groaned. “I’m sorry, did you just compare your sex life to kids eating candy?” Brett put out his fist, and she bumped it. Having another girl around to call out Kelty was going to be a blast.
Kelty scoffed. “You know what I mean.”
Penny sighed. “My brothers were the worst whenever I started dating someone. They were always making my boyfriends feel unwelcome.”
“And they were justified, right?” Sean looked back through the mirror.
Penny opened her mouth, then closed it. “I mean, yeah. In my case they were. But Tyler seems like a nice guy.”
“Thank you Penny!” Tyler called from the back seat, and Sean flipped him the bird.
Kelty turned in her seat. “Sean, you love Tyler—”
“I love Tyler when I don’t have to watch him snogging my sister twenty-four seven.”
“Which is why we’re going camping together. Enjoying nature, hiking, sleeping in a tent on our own.”
“Was there another option?” Brett laughed.
“Kelty wanted to bring the six man and have everyone dogpile into the same tent!” Sean threw out his hand for emphasis.
Brett smirked. “So romantic.”
